The Senior Accountant is a leader, problem solver, trusted business partner, mentor and subject matter expert for respective technical expertise in the GFAS functional areas. Responsible for creating and co-leading best practices in the accurate and timely recording of all financial transactions (general ledger, financial reporting, payroll, treasury and tax), monthly close of the books, and preparation of internal financial schedules and external regulatory filings. Responsible for supervising and managing outsourced processes. Act as the GFAS subject matter expert on foundation-wide projects and initiatives.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Preparing tax and regulatory related workpapers and tax returns the Foundation, Trust and related entities.
- Managing outsourced work, coordinate activities and answer questions.
- Preparing, reconciling and analyzing the monthly and annual financial statements, complex payroll calculations, and reporting metrics. Maintaining policies and procedures in accordance with best practices.
- Providing accounting guidance and training as needed, and other ad hoc projects when requested. Maintaining and acting as SME for financial systems.
- Reviewing and posting journal entries; reviewing monthly account reconciliations; reviewing and releasing global payment batches for invoice, tax and payroll related payments; expense program administration.
- Determining how transactions impact financial reporting.
- Making decisions on proper accounting in accordance with regulatory requirements and standards.
- Managing and prioritizing the work of others, including outsourced providers and associates.
- Demonstrating sound judgment, dealing with ambiguity, leveling up, problem solving; and driving strategic action.
While this position has no direct reports, this position works in a highly matrixed environment and works closely with the following internal and external stakeholders:
Internally:
- Frequent interaction with individuals on the Financial Planning & Analysis team regarding the release and timing of financial reports and the data contained in them. Contact is to help them understand the data underlying the numbers when needed.
- Frequent interaction with individuals in IT, HR, and GFET(Global Facilities, Events & Travel) regarding various issues ranging from information needed from them to make a decision to information needed to complete a report and vice versa. Communication needs to be concise on what is needed, respectful of their time, but also let them know when it is needed. When providing information to them, it must be timely and complete and involves preparation of the information in a format that is easy to understand.
- Interaction with all members in GFAS, including the Controller and Deputy Directors, to gather information and to collaborate on standard and complex issues. This involves strong listening skills and communication skills. Presentation of results, findings and proposed solutions directly to the Controller and Deputy Directors is involved.
- Interaction with Regional Offices: support and coordination between Regional Office, other entities and Headquarters.
- Interaction with staff, cross-functional colleagues for escalated complex issues.
Externally:
- Interaction with others outside the foundation including auditors, tax advisors and our investment advisors. The interactions need to be very professional and concise.
- Interaction with our vendors, including third party providers of outsources services.
Educational Background:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance. CPA and Masters in Tax Accounting desirable.
Skills/Experience:
3+ years applicable accounting experience. Prior experience in tax compliance in a for-profit, not-for-profit, and/or international tax environment preferred.
The ideal candidate has a blend of the following skills and experiences:
- Strong initiative, organization skills and ability to work autonomously and cross-functionally while remaining flexible to changing tasks, priorities, and roles and responsibilities.
- Ability to bring work/projects to completion by quickly learning relevant information with minimal direction.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to professionally interact with staff and external partners at all levels.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Intellectually curious with solution orientation and the ability to identify new ways of working.
- Technical expert in their industry domain including processes, systems and tools with the ability to influence and implement change.
- End to end process management, including change management and internal controls.
- The ability to conduct research of complex issues (accounting, payroll, tax, regulatory) and provide recommendations.
- Project management skills and ability to supervise and manage the work of others, including external vendors.
- Ability to build strong relationships and credibility with clients and key decision makers.
- Models professional courage– engages in trust based debate, asks hard or unpopular questions, and is willing to say no.
- Trusted advisor to colleagues throughout the organization.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Jul 15 2018
Active Until:
Aug 15 2018
Hiring Organization:
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
industry:
Nonprofit